How to distribute an app?
Did you know that it is not only download shops such as the App Store and Play Store that allow you to distribute a mobile application? Nowadays, apps are tools that are in our daily lives. Given their increasing popularity, there are different channels through which to distribute an app.
Mobile applications are no longer just entertainment tools, sales, or information channels, but many companies develop their own applications to improve internal processes. That is why, although the most common is to access shops like App Store and Play Store and download the app you want, there are situations where applications must be distributed internally and therefore should not be accessible to any user.
In this post, we tell you how to distribute an app and the most common channels for downloading a mobile application.
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Internal distribution of an app
There is a type of application that does not need to be published for everyone. There are cases where they can only be used by a certain group of people, such as those who are part of the same organisation. In these situations, an internal distribution is needed.
These types of applications used in companies generally have restricted access through login with a username and password. This is done to protect sensitive corporate information and everything that can be related to business processes.
For this reason, these types of apps cannot be found in download shops, but need other channels to distribute the app.
Once an application has been developed, an APK file is generated and can be uploaded to platforms such as Play Store or can be sent directly to those users who want to access the mobile application. In this way, this file can be sent by email and facilitate downloading.
The way an APK file is installed is different from downloading an app from an official shop. This requires changing the device settings and enabling ‘download from unknown sources’. Check out our post on how to install an APK file on Android to find out more.
MDM in the internal distribution of an app
Mobile device management, or MDM, is becoming increasingly popular in enterprises. It is about improving the management and control of enterprise devices and keeping corporate information secure. Through MDM software, a company can determine which tools and functionalities are accessed by employees. In addition, an MDM can also be used to distribute an app internally.
Internal apps are increasingly being developed in businesses. They make it possible to protect corporate information and allow users to access customised functionalities and features.
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Distribution in download shops
It is estimated that between the two most popular platforms there are more than 4 million mobile applications available and this number will continue to grow. Given the importance of apps, how are they published in download shops?
How to upload a mobile application to the Play Store?
The first step is to have a developer account in the Google Play Developer Console. To do so, you will have to pay a $25 fee. Once the payment has been made, you can start configuring your account. Then, once you have completed your details and developer profile, you can upload the application you have created by attaching an APK file and adding information about it. From the title, through a short description, and images, as well as including the language and the countries in which it will be present. You can also categorise and detail whether the application is going to be paid or free.
Once all this has been completed, Google will review it, approve it, and publish it if the requirements are met. Users can then start downloading it.
How to upload a mobile application to the App Store?
In order to publish an app on the App Store, it is necessary to register and pay $99 per year. The necessary data and configuration must also be completed. Then, the developer account will be registered in XCode to generate the certificates associated with it.
At this point, the application can be packaged, and uploaded to the shop and all the information that may be key to improving the app’s visibility on the platform can be completed. Once this step has been completed, Apple will proceed to review the mobile application in order to publish it.
Huawei App Gallery is another of the most popular download shops and in this other post, we tell you how to publish a mobile application in the Huawei shop.
As you can see, there is not only one way to distribute a mobile application, but there are different channels, both internal and external, and they have their differences. Distributing an app internally can be done for free and does not require a review period by the platforms. It should also be noted that distributing an app internally does not allow everyone to access an app, but would be targeted to a specific group of people.
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